Stevie‘s review of Tight Quarters (Out of Uniform, Book 6) by Annabeth Albert
Contemporary Gay and Pansexual Military Romance published by Carina Press 09 Jul 18
Annabeth Albert is doing a grand job of covering practically the whole QUILTBAG spectrum in her Out of Uniform series. This time, she’s turning the spotlight on a character regular readers already know to be pansexual, even though he’s not out to the whole of his team. Petty Officer Bacon – no other name needed – tends to shy away from bringing dates to SEAL events – not that he goes in for serious dating – and has become even more cautious of late due to the gossip surrounding two comrades who left to spend civilian life together (as per a previous book in the series). Bacon is very much a man of action and is less than pleased when he’s relegated to taking care of a journalist who’ll be following the team – at least until Bacon’s recent minor injury has healed up. The fact that the journalist in question is a very out, very attractive, and rather charming gay man does nothing at all to help Bacon’s bad mood at the situation.
Spencer Bryant has made a highly successful career out of writing articles and books on important matters, including issues faced by veterans invalided out of the military. Now, he hopes to write an exposé on mental and physical health risks Special Forces are exposed to above and beyond their combat experiences, having witnessed first hand the toll such experiences took out of a friend Spencer made while writing one of his books. When he meets Bacon, Spencer is immediately intrigued, especially since Bacon is the only one not prepared to put up with homophobic banter from other team members. While Bacon is prickly at first, the two soon build up a rapport and begin to share stories.
I like Bacon’s reasons for identifying as pansexual rather than bi: his best friend and sometime lover while at school had identified as non-binary, but had committed suicide prior to graduation when the small-town bullies got too much for them. Bacon got out of the toxic atmosphere by joining the Navy with the support of his family, who assured him that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell wouldn’t hang over him forever. Having found a place where he fits in, however, Bacon is still unsure about sharing his life story with more than Spencer and a couple of trusted buddies, which could be tricky as he and Spencer grow closer.
Things become more, rather than less, difficult when work commitments separate the two, but they stay in touch and find ways to spend time together, even though their careers keep them apart much of the time. Again, I like that the pair of them are able to make their relationship and their jobs work, even though the latter causes friction on both sides at times. I also like the way Bacon’s eventual coming out to his team is no great drama and that the pair of them seem to be settling into domesticity without losing any of the factors that make them who they were. Another sound addition to a series I’m extremely fond of.
Grade: B
Summary:
Petty Officer Bacon, a navy SEAL and ace sharpshooter, has been on the front lines of more than his fair share of dangerous ops. Yet when a minor injury relegates him to the beta team, he’s tasked with what may be his riskiest assignment yet: the silver fox journalist he’s babysitting is the hottest, most charismatic man he’s ever encountered.
Award-winning journalist Spencer Bryant may have been named one of Pride magazine’s most eligible bachelors of the year, but he’s not looking to change his relationship status. He’s a consummate professional who won’t risk his ethics or impeccable reputation by getting involved with a source. Even a sexy-as-hell military man. But while Spencer can resist his physical attraction to Bacon, he has less control over his emotions—especially when the mission goes sideways and the two men are trapped alone.
Getting out of the jungle alive turns out to be easy compared to facing the truth about their feelings for one another back in the real world. And whether or not they can build a future is a different story altogether.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
